Glenelg’s Luke Partington named SANFL Player of the Week after dominating against Eagles
Glenelg midfielder Luke Partington needed time to adjust to the lifestyle of a state league player. Now the former West Coast Eagle is putting his talents on show.
- Monday Recovery Roosters can’t shake ghost of 19th man
- ‘Hell of a game’: Tigers beat Eagles in thriller
- Glenelg snares signature of delisted Eagle
Glenelg onballer Luke Partington admits the transition from full-time footballer with West Coast back into the SANFL system this season had its challenges.
It was the dramatic lifestyle change which was most difficult and it took time for the former Norwood junior to adjust after three years in Perth.
But now settled into the Tigers’ environment and engrossed in bachelor of education studies, Partington is content with his decisions and happy with his “set up”.
“I was out of contract at the Eagles and I could definitely see my time there coming to an end last year,” Partington said. “I prepared myself for that and had some ideas on what I saw myself doing.
“The transition was difficult with the lifestyle change, going from earning a pretty good wage to earning nothing and university full time. But I’m loving it and having a good time.
“It has been an enjoyable season so far, when you win more than you lose it makes it a little easier. We have played some good footy this year, but there is a long way to go.”
Partington describes his early season form as average, okay but nothing great.
In the past month, however, he has started to improve and that was most evident on Sunday when he imposed himself on the clash against Woodville-West Torrens at Woodville Oval with 43 disposals, two goals, eight marks, six tackles and eight clearances.
He nailed a crucial goal in the final quarter in a performance which has been recognised as The Advertiser SANFL Player of the Week.
“That was the best win I have been a part of at the club,” he said. “We had not won there for a long time.
“We had not beaten them for eight years when he won earlier in the season. We had also not won at Central for a long time so we are knocking off some milestones.
“We need to put ourselves in a position to qualify for the finals as quickly as possible and then keep building a brand of footy which stands up in the finals.”
Partington has ambitions of returning to the AFL, although he says his desire is not as strong as when he was 18 years old.
And if that opportunity did present itself, he would attack it differently a second time around.
“If I play good enough footy and a club was willing to take me, I’d put my hand up straight away,” he said.
“But I’m enjoying my footy at the moment and that is the most important thing.”